| Capilano University | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1968[1] |
| Type | Public |
| Chairman | Dr. Robin C. Brayne[2] |
| Chancellor | Peter Ufford[3] |
| President | Kris Bulcroft[4] |
| Undergraduates | 7,500[5] |
| Location | North Vancouver, Squamish, Sunshine Coast, British Columbia, Canada |
| Campus | Suburb |
| Colours | Blue White |
| Athletics | PACWEST, CCAA 8 varsity teams |
| Nickname | Capilano |
| Mascot | Blues |
| Affiliations | ACCC, CBIE, CUP |
| Website | capilanou.ca |
Capilano University (formerly known as Capilano College) is an undergraduate-focused, public, coeducational, teaching-intensive university located in the District of North Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. It is enabled by the University Act[6]
The university has two regional campuses located in the British Columbian cities of Squamish and Sechelt. Capilano serves the North Shore, Howe Sound, and Sunshine Coast communities, a region spanning from Metro Vancouver to Whistler.[1]
Capilano enrolled its first students in 1968. The school was established by local school boards and residents of the North Shore and Howe Sound on the need for a public institution serving the local communities. Initial enrollment was 784 students in 1968,[1] and as of 2009, student enrollment has grown to 7,500 students.[5]
Under the direction of President Greg Lee, Capilano was redesignated from a community college to a university.[3] Capilano's academic offerings include liberal arts, professional, and career programs, leading to certificates, diplomas, and degrees at the primarily undergraduate level.
Capilano's sports teams are nicknamed the Blues, which is coincidentally also the official school colour. The Blues have won numerous national titles in the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association, and even more provincial titles in the British Columbia Colleges Athletic Association.[7]
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The school boards of North and West Vancouver, Howe Sound and Sechelt formed a committee to determine the need for a community college to serve the North Shore. The proposal to build a college on the North Shore passed by a plebiscite in North and West Vancouver and the Howe Sound in 1967. However, the motion was defeated in Sechelt. The provincial government granted approval and Capilano College got its name selected from submissions made by North Shore residents. Capilano opened on September 10, 1968 with 784 students attending classes after hours at West Vancouver Secondary. The Capilano College Foundation was created in 1970 to provide scholarships and bursaries for students.[8]
In 1970, construction began on the North Vancouver campus in the Lynnmour area. Three years later, the permanent North Vancouver campus opened with 1,965 students in attendance. The first vocational programs were offered in portable buildings brought from West Vancouver Secondary. The first permanent structure at the North Vancouver campus, the original library building, also opened. In 1976, the Arbutus building at the North Vancouver campus opened, and the Fir building at the North Vancouver campus opened in 1982. In 1991, the Cedar building, the Sportsplex, and Horticulture building were completed. Two years later, a new library replaced the former at the North Vancouver campus, tripling the size of existing library space. In 1996, The Birch building at the North Vancouver campus is completed, housing a performance theatre, classrooms, student services, and providing teaching space. The Child Care Centre also opened in the same year.[8]
The Squamish campus began as liberal art classes that were offered in the fall in Squamish in 1973. The Learning Centre opened in 1974, housing an office, student services, and classes. In 1979, the permanent Squamish campus opened. In 1995, the official induction for the Capilano Squamish campus was held.[8]
Development of the Sunshine Coast campus began in 1977, when the Sunshine Coast School District became part of Capilano’s region and the first college classes were offered in Sechelt. In 1980, the Sunshine Coast campus (then called the Sechelt campus) opened a permanent facility in 1987. The campus now offers training in how to fly jet airplanes and a program in advanced tightrope performance.[8]
Capilano offered its first bachelor degree, a collaborative degree in music therapy with the B.C. Open University in 1990. A second music degree in jazz studies was offered by 1992.[9] Business administration was offered in 1993. That year, Capilano also conferred its first associate degrees. Tourism management was added to degree offerings in 1997. The college was authorized by the provincial government in 2003 to become the first college in British Columbia to independently grant applied degrees after the dissolution of the B.C. Open University. Capilano was also named by the provincial government as host of the British Columbia Centre for Tourism Leadership and Innovation in 2004, in preparations for the 2010 Winter Olympics. In 2008, Capilano became a candidate for accreditation with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, joined the OpenCourseWare consortium, and was redesignated as a university.[8]
Capilano University has three campuses. The main campus is at 2055 Purcell Way in the District of North Vancouver, on Metro Vancouver's North Shore. It is approximately a 20-minute drive from Downtown Vancouver. The majority of the programs are offered at this campus.
Capilano University also operates satellite campuses in Squamish and Sechelt, although only specialized programs are available at these locations.
Capilano offers six bachelor degrees, sixteen associate degrees, over thirty diploma programs, certificates, and citations.[10] These credentials are conferred by the university under six academic divisions: arts and sciences, business and professional studies, tourism and outdoor recreation, health and education, fine and applied arts, and continuing education.[10] Interdisciplinary programs unique to Capilano include the global stewardship program,[11] culture and technology,[12] and British Columbia studies.[13] Capilano also offers niche programs with an applied focus, such as applied ethics,[14] illustration/design (IDEA),[15] and music therapy.[16]
Capilano has joint partnerships and projects as part of the school's commitment to international education.[1] It has dual degree programs and development partnerships with various schools abroad.[17]
In 2004, the Province of British Columbia established the British Columbia Centre for Leadership and Innovation in Tourism at Capilano University.[18] This establishment came as part of the efforts by the provincial government to capitalize on the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. The centre addresses tourism issues, helps provide tourism education, and is part of the larger British Columbia Tourism and Hospitality Education and Training Consortium.[19] In 2008, the centre was merged into Link BC, an education network for tourism and hospitality with industry organizations.[20] This has resulted in partnerships with organizations, and opportunities for students.[21]
Capilano has eight varsity sport teams that play at the provincial and national levels. The official intercollegiate representing team is the Capilano University Blues. The Blues are based in Capilano University's North Vancouver campus and have their home court in the Sportsplex Building. Capilano University competes at the intercollegiate level in badminton, basketball, golf, soccer, and volleyball.[22]
Since 1974, the Capilano University Blues have won 40 provincial titles, nine national titles, eight coach of the Year distinctions and two aggregate champions. Between 1974 and 1999 they held the title for CCAA Soccer Supremacy Award.[7] In 2008 the Blues won the national championship in soccer.[23]
Students enrolled in credit programs at Capilano University are members of the Capilano Students' Union (CSU). The CSU is a registered society under the Society Act of BC, and receives funding from membership fees collected by the university on its behalf. While students ultimately control the CSU, most of its decisions are made by an elected board of directors (the executive committee), governed by the constitution and bylaws of the society. The executive committee consists of six constituency representatives, four issues coordinators, and the students elected to the senate and board of governors.
The CSU provides many services to its members, including a free dayplanner, and a used book sale. A referendum will likely be held in 2011, which will determine whether or not the CSU will also provide supplemental health and dental coverage.
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